long term use of boric acid

[chipie.livejournal.com]

Hello!

(I talk about naturopathy and homeopathy in this post.  I am aware of the controversial nature of these health practitioners and I have mixed feelings about them myself, but I don't want to get in a debate about this here please!)

So a few months ago I saw a naturopath for my recurrent yeast infections.  They recommended doing 60 days of boric acid (taking breaks for my period).  I was inserting the recommended dosage, 600 mg.  I just finished my 60 days last week.

Now I'm having kidney issues.  I feel that I've always had these issues, because I've always gotten this pain in my left side that would go away over night.  I got this again maybe 3 weeks ago, but it didn't got away for a couple of weeks.  I had an ultrasound and it turns out I have a bunch of cysts around my kidney, doubling the size of my kidney.  I just saw a urologist who said it could always potentially because my kidney that's all stretched out (or something) from not functioning properly.

I spoke to my homeopath this morning, and she freaked out about the boric acid because apparently chronic use can bring on kidney problems, including kidney failure.  She says this could happen if I had a cut in my vagina and the boric acid entered the blood stream.

Has any one heard of this?  I feel so stupid for not being more careful!  I was so desperate to get rid of the yeast infections I didn't even research this one my one (which is so unlike me).  I really hope I didn't cause myself kidney failure.

I didn't mention the boric acid to the urologist I saw because I mentioned it once to another doctor and he reacted very negatively (without actually saying anything useful), but I will mention it next time I see her.

Any thoughts?  Thank you so much!

Comments

[ravynwitch.livejournal.com]

From the brief research I've done, it does appear that there is a link between boric acid and kidney problems. Most studies appear to indicate it occurs more often with oral consumption or inhalation, but the link is definitely there.
At this point, the best thing you can do is be upfront with your doctors. They may react poorly, but they need to know all possible risk factors. It's also possible the acid simply aggravated an existing condition, or it may not be linked at all.
I assume you will be continuing to see doctors to deal with the cysts, etc, and I think it would be worth asking "what could have caused this?" before you mention the boric acid use. It would be horrible if other causes/risk factors were ignored because they simple conclude it was the fault of the boric acid.
Hope some of that was helpful to you!

[darlahood.livejournal.com]

In addition to the boric acid suppositories, did the naturopath recommend supplements to help control systemic candida overgrowth?

Personally, I think that a 7 day regimine of boric acid is enough to control most reoccurring yeast. Anything more than that is not giving your body enough time to regulate the vagina's own beneficial bacteria and secretions.

[misspaigeb.livejournal.com]

Sixty days does seem like kind of a long time to get rid of a regular yeast infection. Usually a couple of days or a week seems to be enough, at least based on reading here.

It IS a legitimate way to treat such problems, though, and from what I understand the risk is pretty low unless you're ingesting it.

[patchworkorange]

60 days of continual use is a ridiculously long time. In my opinion, boric acid is best for bacterial vaginosis, and not so good for chronic yeast necessarily.

Yeast overgrowth is normally not caused by or a cause of a pH imbalance like vaginosis is, but boric acid can be used in the very beginning with good results, for 7-10 days usually.

Probiotics are better, yogurt is great. Garlic inserted is good. Good luck!

[barrelofrain.livejournal.com]

Does kidney disease run in your family? I ask because I have cysts on my kidneys, but it's from polycystic kidney disease, which is genetic and not caused by any medicines I've taken, etc. If you do have kidney disease, it's good to be mindful and try to protect your kidney function.

Additionally, you should have been able to give a urine sample to test your kidney function. Just because you have cysts does not mean you're in kidney failure, or even necessarily that it's in your future any time soon. The two markers that are generally checked to test kidney function are BUN (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-urea-nitrogen/MY00373) and Creatinine clearance (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003610.htm).

[teacupcake89.livejournal.com]

agreeing with the advice by darlahood

do you eat lots of sugar or hidden sugar foods/drinks? as sugar feeds yeast.

also, if you have a partner, has he/she been treated for a YI infection aswell? because its possible that you've been getting it back from partner even if has no symptoms.

seconding to make sure drs check every possible avenue beforehand, as the boric acid might not have caused the kidney problems.

have you tried apple cider vinegar washes/rinses? I think there are quite a few posts about dilution amounts and frequency here somewhere... :)

good luck and hugs :)